"Are ya kiddin' me? Mikey won AGAIN? Why he can't near write his way oughta paper bag. He's got a voting cabal, don't tell me n'er another thing. All his buddies votin' for him. Why, ya can spot his scribblin' nothingness a MILE AWAY! Why bother enterin' if HE'S in the contest. That scoundrel's nuthin' but a low down dirty thievin' dawg!"
 
I use myself as an example, but there are others who have the same complaints lodged. I can say for myself, yes, there's some truth in those allegations, within what is meant to be humorous. Indeed, I am well known. I'm reasonably certain I do have friends who vote for me ... just because. There's no doubt my style is easily recognizable.
 
No, I don’t have a cabal or solicit votes. I'm certain there are those who do. And, yes, letting your buddy know you're in a contest IS soliciting their vote, no ifs, ands or buts about it. Popularity is certainly a factor in contests, there is no question. Simple name recognition IS a factor in voting; it's a fact.
 
Anonymity is a myth. All entries are in portfolios for the perusing and they ARE perused. Styles and content ... easily ascribed to particular authors, yes, almost a certainty in many cases.
 
All of this to come clean, especially for the new members, the prompts and member created contests are NOT completely FAIR endeavors. Many, many times a worthy piece IS overlooked for one reason or another. It is NOT a reflection on the quality of the work in many cases. We are in a hurry to be frank. Everything we do here is in a hurry. Review, review, review, vote, vote, vote, post, post ... repeat ... that's the FAN story. If you're piece is a bit deep or complex, there's an excellent chance we'll all skim right over it and vote for the cute puppy. So, don't take it so hard. Remember, we were all newbies once too. Before long, you WON'T be a newbie any more.
 
All of this is subject to debate, of course. I contend, when it comes to prompts, member created contests and any endeavor that requires member voting, this IS what we are up against.
 
Still, in perusing the recent month's list of winners and honorees, I see dozens of names. Yes, there are some repeated more than others. Keep in mind though, the more you enter, the more chances to win. Trust me, I lose way more than I win ... I just happen to enter a LOT. There's a suggestion in there.
 
Frustration and even outrage is a real thing though, isn't it? I remember all too well the feeling of entering one of my better offerings, the excitement anticipating the vote and reaction, and then the sinking feeling of total rejection receiving one vote, while a piece about a cute puppy took the day. Yes, I still feel that despite all my success.
 
Why bother then? Every contest isn't unfair. Some contests are unfair or appear to be. If you let the one unfair contest take you out of the game, then all you have is the notion that it is a total waste of time to enter for it's impossible to win ... it's rigged ... only Mikey, or whomever, wins the contests. So be it. There you will sit until the end of time. On the other hand, you can do what "Mikey" did. Keep entering as many contests as you are able until you DO win. Then you'll win again ... and again. You'll lose too. In the meantime, you'll learn new writing forms and improve greatly as a writer.  At least, this is how my aunt Pollyanna explained it to me.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Site contests are a completely different animal. As the name implies, site contests are sponsored by Fanstory and judged by a committee made up from the membership. It's an anonymous committee.
 
Here's a good place to address committees in general and the fact they are anonymous.
 
I understand the cry for transparency. If one feels they've been wronged, it would be logical to desire ascertaining the identity of the wrongdoer.
 
There are several committees at Fanstory. The ones I'm aware of are, The Quality Seal committee, The Welcoming Committee, The Reviewers Committee, The CEC (Contest Entry Compliance), The Site Contest Committee, and one which sorts through the months offerings to submit entries to Tom for poem, story, and book of the month honours. There may by others, there probably is.
 
The committee members must be anonymous, it makes sense. If I was on a committee, the last thing I would want is for anyone to know it. Honestly, can you imagine choosing the Site Contest for Sonnets winner when everyone KNOWS who YOU are? Do ya think ya might get a message or two in your in box?
 
Is their bias? I suppose there could be some to a degree. There's certainly a tone or preference in styles the committee seems to lean towards in site contests. That's true of the site in general though. I must trust the committees don't have vendettas against particular members though. It that is the case, then the entire organization is suspect. I would leave if I believed so. I do have people who have messaged me with their accusations and ill will, but I feel that no single person can hold sway over an entire committee. I've suspected I've been black balled in the past only to place in a site contest a week later. So, honestly, I doubt it's the case.
 
If I'm objective, which isn't easy considering our work is important to us, these committee jobs must be the most thankless jobs in the world. No one is happy to lose, true?
 
The CEC is a recent addition and I was part of the group of people who called for it. So, the newer members gain a better understanding of the need for the CEC, let me explain how and why it came about.  At one point, there was zero monitoring of member sponsored and prompt contests. It was often the case that entries non-compliant with the rules would nonetheless emerge with the win. Indeed, sonnets would on occasion win haiku contests. Initially the CEC disqualified non-compliant entries outright. If one entered a 5-7-4 in a 5-7-5 contest, the CEC would disqualify the entry and the booth would open with ONLY qualified entries. I was disqualified seven times. No, I didn't complain. It's what I asked for.
 
The membership complained that immediate disqualification for little easily correctable mistakes was a bit harsh. So, the site empowered the CEC to issue warnings to non-compliant entries and give them 24 hours to make their entries compliant. The booth would then be open within the 24-hour period, if the non-compliant entries were still non-compliant, THEN they would be disqualified. If they were fixed, they would go to the voting booth along with the other entries.
 
Some complain they should be disqualified outright and there's some merit to such a complaint. However, I believe that with a site so diverse in skill levels greater leeway should be the order of the day. I don't feel newer members and less skilled or knowledgeable members should be discouraged from entering out of fear they'll be disqualified with no chance. I'm not worried about someone getting a chance to fix a small error and then getting to compete. Why be cutthroat?
 
In any case, site contests are subjective. There is some truth that the same names do pop up more frequently than others. However, in all truth, some writers are simply exceptional and difficult to best. I seldom can honestly say, "Mine was better" as more than wistful thinking or sour grapes. Here again, there is a tone and a conforming to traditional form and content one usually sees in site contest winners. So, keep that in mind when entering. I know damn well some of my off the wall incomprehensible nonsense doesn't stand a chance. So, no, I'm not going to cry about it. HA!
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Competition is a great thing, especially when the chance to enhance our skills is involved. Do you truly wish to be in a competition against folks you can stomp with little effort?
 
I recall my early days here. Some of the contests were downright terrifying, especially to an unknowledgeable newbie such as myself. The thought of entering a sonnet contest against the stellar sonneteers of the day made me weak in the knees and the brain. But it was a tremendous thrill to finally get that damn iambic pentameter down and gets votes against the best. To this day, running second to Brooke Baldwin in a sonnet contest is my greatest achievement here. Me, little mikey, received votes against the premier poet of Fanstory. WOW! I recall as well, prose contests. I remember competing in horror writing, not in my wheelhouse for sure, against the site's best and holding my own. I remember one contest, it was a dialogue only affair and all the best prose folk entered ... all of them, and little ME. LOL Trust me, I poured my soul into my piece out of fear and pride and wrote the best dialogue EVER (for me) just to hold my own. It was sooooo much fun to see my name there, especially since I DIDN'T look like a total moron. HA! No, of course I didn't win. But I did compete, and I did write better than I ever had. THAT is why we enter contests, or one of the reasons anyway.
 
We are here to write and improve the way we write, yes?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
That brings me to sportsmanship. In my view, this is sorely lacking here at Fanstory. The ability to win with grace and to lose graciously is near non-existent here.
 
The entire voting process is a study in RUDE. The comments in the voting booth defy belief. Do people sit in a dark room contemplating what might be the most vicious thing to say that would hurt the most people?

"Well, NONE of these entries are any good, but I had to vote for something." (Wow. How lovely for all the entrants to read.)
 
"This is the best poet on site." (I suppose the rest of the entrants are dog crap then.)
 
"The only real haiku of the bunch." (the rest of you don't know what a haiku is, IDIOTS!)
 
"Why have a contest if only people who can't write enter. This had a nice picture. (You think I'm exaggerating? I'm not.)
 
Well, aren't those lovely anonymous remarks? Interestingly, when I call these people out in the forum, not a single one will step forward to claim their remarks.
 
I love also when blocks of voters all comment and make it known they KNOW who they are voting for. Gee, you couldn't pretend like the contest is anonymous, you have to rub our noses in it?
 
When one wins a competition, it is customary to graciously congratulation those they bested for their great effort. When one loses a competition, is is generally accepted practice to congratulate the winner on a job well done. It's rather rude to ignore EVERYONE else and just congratulate your buddy. How sad to see newbies win a contest and not ONE person can lift a finger to type: "Congrats!" on their page. But their bud who came in third has a speech with graphics. How nice. Well, just a pet peeve. No, I'm not offering up myself as an example of anything. I'm sure I'm just as guilty as anyone else. Still, a call to me and you, yes?
 
The simple solution to any and all voting discrepancies, cartels, cabals, voting blocks and the like is to VOTE. There are hundreds of eligible voters. I've won contests with six or seven votes MANY times. If you think I've got some huge ring of voters in the bag, then just OUT VOTE THEM. Don't cry about these problems if you aren't doing anything about them. All these problems would disappear if the membership showed some support. Take some time out, read the entries, then vote for the one you think is best. Yes, I AM a genius.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, I'd like to address plagiarism. It's bad enough to submit pieces that are not original as regular posts. To submit unoriginal work as contest entries is wrong in more ways than I can ennumerate. I understand the site considers ONLY pieces that copy a piece word for word to be plagiarised. That doesn't mean WE, the membership, view it thusly. Just because it isn't a violation of site policy doesn't make it right. This is true in many areas and never more true than when we speak of lifting other people's work and claiming it as our own. 

I honestly don't understand why anyone would be satisfied with anything but their own original thoughts and writings. But I've seen too many contest entries that are rehashes of work I've seen many times before. There's no rule to turn anyone in over. There is peer pressure however. We too often overlook things here that shouldn't be overlooked. If we don't maintain standards for ourselves, we can't complain about the standards that result.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Mercy! Even I can't listen to anymore of ME. LOL!


 

Author Notes

I URGE you to read the other entries in this contest. They are exceptional and bring up great points, questions and solutions as well. :))

Reviewing is the key to all things Fanstory. Funds for posting are earned by reviewing. The impetus for posting is the anticipation of reviews. The unspoken agreement of reciprocal reviewing drives the machine that is our community. It seems simple enough, almost utopian in nature.
 
The framework is a ranking and rating system, "the game" as many of us like to call it. The writers are ranked in various categories, and the reviewers as well have a ranking based on the number of reviews written over a certain period. The writer's rankings begin anew the first of every year. The reviewing rankings are ongoing year after year.
 
Despite endless criticism, there's not a thing wrong with "the game" itself. It's a functional framework encouraging quantity and steady activity. There is NOTHING wrong with encouraging writers to write and reviewers to review ... is there?
 
The entire litany of problems stems from member abuse. There are members who resort to reviews offering nothing of value containing the minimum required words just to get credit for the review, collect the money, and advance in the rankings. Is that "the game's" fault? OR, is it the game player's? Shortchanging reviews to collect the reviewing stipend is rampant here. This is a fact.
 
So, in a mad quest to acquire funny money to post, reviewers short change the posts they review. THEN, they post their work. What do they expect in return I wonder? Yet, everyone is complaining and condemning the system.
 
                Six Stars (Exceptional: Simply Outstanding)
                Five Stars (Excellent: Enjoyable and no revisions needed)
                Four Stars (Good: Adjustments needed)
                Three Stars (Below average)
                Two Stars (Below Average: Needs lots of work)
                One Star (Poor: Major revision required)
 
The damn stars. Well ... nothing causes more grief and ill will here then these damn stars, true? Once upon a time, Fanstory was a fledgling site where authors congregated to critique each other's writing. It was a small site with mostly serious writers. They were very stingy with stars back then and very critical and helpful. It was the norm to receive an array of stars on a given piece, threes, fours ... maybe a five and RARELY a six. And it worked well as it was the norm, and everyone was treated the same and expectations were the same. Those days, however, are LONG GONE!
 
I can appreciate the desire of many to return to those days, and, frankly, I wouldn't mind operating under such a system myself. I DO appreciate helpful critique to improve my craft.
 
The reality is this, the site has expanded to include a vast diversity of both skill levels and seriousness.
 
With that in mind I offer this quote from a member who'll remain anonymous. I believe this is the conundrum concisely:
 
Everyone comes to the site with a whole different motivation, a whole different background, and a whole different set of reference points. A person steeped in hallmark card greetings is not going to be able to appreciate a poet steeped in Rimbaud. That would be like a kindergartener marking a PhD's work. It is not possible, and it is usually the kindergartener who rates down for ridiculous reasons.
 
Add to that the ambiguity of the instructions accompanying the stars, and you have a complex issue. Well, we've seen it in action daily. The biggest problem is the word "EXCELLENT"
 
There can be no larger deterrent to awarding five stars than the reluctance to bestow the rank of "Excellence" on work unworthy of being called excellent. Or, so might be the opinion of the reviewer.
 
But then the alternative is awarding four stars, very good, ADJUSTMENT NEEDED. Hmm ... but there is no adjustment needed, you, the reviewer, simply don't find the work to be EXCELLENT. But if it needs NO ADJUSTMENT, it is a five-star work. Yikes!
 
The CONSENSUS of the community, hundreds of us, is: works written to form without flaws or with only minor flaws are considered five-star pieces. Works needing major corrections are considered four-star pieces and in some cases three-star pieces. Those would be Sonnets with the wrong number of lines or out of meter, wrong syllable counts in pieces where such is a requirement, contest pieces not meeting contest parameters, etc. Some reviewers will revisit a piece if corrections are made, some will not ... a personal choice, not a requirement.
 
This is NOT, of course, a RULE. This is a consensus, a standard practice adopted by most of the membership. THUS, those who operate under a different method can EXPECT an appropriate reaction. When a four-star rating is a rarity for a work without flaws, it becomes a punitive rating with repercussions to the author greater than what they would be if a four-star were a common rating. A four-star rating will knock a piece off the front page, for instance, as it lowers the overall rating of the piece. Since NONE of the other pieces on the front page are likely to receive four-star ratings, one can see how one might be upsetting to be the UNLUCKY one.
 
That said, there ARE qualified reviewers who DO use the star system as originally intended and give FAIR and helpful reviews accordingly. I've received many a three and four-star review from THESE reviewers and, trust me, I was delighted to receive them. A review chock full of invaluable information and sage advice is priceless to a writer who is here to learn. That's different from a four-star review from an individual who "doesn't get it", or "doesn't like the horror genre", etc. ...
 
Arguments may commence HERE ... X
 
Some will say, "This isn't a nursery school. I'm not here to coddle people. I'm here to offer a fair opinion, and that's what I'm going to do." Fair enough, that is certainly anyone's right and not a violation of site policy in any way. However, not everyone is here to become a published writer. Not everyone here arrives with a full arsenal of skills. Some arrive as novices hoping to learn. Some are children. Some are mentally challenged. SOME are simply not talented but enjoy writing. Do you intend to rate THESE individuals with three and four-star reviews over and over and over and over again? You understand, of course, they will certainly leave the site discouraged and humiliated, probably to never write again. If such is your intent, you are entitled to it.
 
I truly don't understand why serious reviews cannot be reserved for serious authors and the rest can be left alone to their own devices. Must everyone meet YOUR criterion for membership?
 
Others will say, "Look, I'm just going to give everyone a five and a glowing review. I don't want the hassle of upsetting anyone."  This is damn difficult to argue with to be candid. After all, this isn't life and death. We're here to ENJOY ourselves for the most part. Who wants to be attacked? I believe this is the general attitude here and it's brought about by those who try and force guidelines and criterion on everyone else. It's an understandable response. It's not a fair response though. It's cheating the authors out of a TRUE opinion, especially the authors who ARE seeking one. It's confusing to an author to be told over and over again how exceptional they are only to find out it was all BULLSHIT and they aren't exceptional after all. Most of us come here with SOME hope that we might have a special talent. To have that hope confirmed is NOT that easy for us to swallow. It wasn't for me.
 
It was not joyous to read my glowing review and then read the same glowing review given to an obviously sub-standard work by the very same person. AND then, read it again on several other ordinary pieces. This person who had me kind of believing I might be pretty good was telling EVERYBODY they were exceptional artists etc., etc., etc. They were not the only ones doing so. This is common practice here. It's a rotten thing to do.
 
I don't understand why a community of writers can't employ common sense and review accordingly.
 
Here are what I'd suggest for guidelines:
 
#1 Be consistent. Whatever you do, do so across the board. You have zero credibility and your reviews are worthless if you choose where to apply your principles.
 
#2 Skip work that you are unable to be objective about. Hey, if you LOVE "X" and the piece is bashing "X", perhaps you should skip. The reciprocal works as well. If you LOVE "Z" and the piece is extolling "Z", don't give glowing praise simply for that fact. There are endless reviews of terrible work simply because the reviewer LOVES the subject matter. It turns members AGAINST the subject matter and members leave the site because of this.
 
#3 There's NEVER a reason to be unkind or rude. It's interesting to note, the truly exceptional talents here happen to also be the most courteous and helpful members. Invariably, the nasty, rude, arrogant jackasses are ALSO untalented. (Yes, I did a scientific study)
 
#4 Give the writer what the writer wants, but don't lie. If the writer is serious and wants serious critique, by all means give it to them. If the writer is simply a hobbyist writing for fun and just wants to chat, either chat with them or walk on by. But there's no need to rip them to shreds, is there?
 
I believe if those four steps are followed, most of our problems would be solved. That covers copy and paste reviews, nothingness reviews, revenge reviews, vicious reviews, false reviews, and any other kind of false pretense reviews I can think of. Any of those would fall under one of those four categories I believe.
 
Here's reality. Lousy reviews are NOT against site policy. It is not against site policy to give a six to ANYTHING about a puppy. A reviewer can give you a three if they obviously don't like your CONTENT, if they don't say so. A reviewer can give you a one if they don't like YOU, if they don't say so. A reviewer can give you a lousy unfair review for no reason at all, it is NOT against site policy. There's nothing that can be done about any of it. These are things we have to live with. We can complain, but we can't do a thing about it except for trying to politely, within guidelines, police each other.
 
Reviewing is the most frustrating aspect of Fanstory. Yet, everything I know about writing, I learned here through reviews. Some of the best reviewers to be found anywhere are right here at Fanstory and their services are absolutely FREE.
 
Many of you don't truly know how to offer a good review. Reviewing can be learned. Seek out the Recognized Reviewers and the award-winning reviewers. These are among the few merit-based awards Fanstory offers. Read THEIR reviews and you'll discover what exceptional reviewing is all about.
 
This is a topic that consumes many of us in the day to day here. I'd like to offer something concise and to the point, but I'm not normally of that ilk to begin with. So, apologies for MEGA rambling.
 
I could go on ...
 

Chapter 6
Unique with Room for Improvement

By michaelcahill

 

Fanstory is a unique website for writers of all skill levels and interests. That is both a wonderful attribute and, at times, a serious drawback. The inclusiveness is attractive, as it is a community anyone can join. On the other hand, the serious writer can feel put upon by those who treat the site as a social gathering point, or a place to pursue a hobby. Indeed, there is often bitterness noted among the membership, attributed to the lack of seriousness on the part of a great many members. On the other side of the coin, there are those who feel attacked and repressed needlessly by those "serious" authors, who feel compelled to demand the same dedication they employ from ALL fellow members.
 
It should be a given that ALL are welcome here and have equal rights and access to the services available. The fees are the same for everyone. It should also be a given that everyone should be treated with respect, regardless of how they wish to use the site. There are no rules stating a member MUST interact with another member. It's a large landscape here with plenty of room for everyone. Find like-minded folk and engage with them. It's a simple matter to avoid those of different interests.
 
My own story is typical. I've written all my life. I'm a musician and a song writer. I wrote poetry and a story or two as well. However, no one ever read any of it. I found Fanstory on line, as many of us did, and gave it a go. I was terrified to post, as many are. I discovered my superstar status in the outside world didn't hold up here among a conclave of "my own kind". Essentially, I wasn't all that good. I didn't know the first thing about writing. I had "a way with words" and "an imagination". I had "potential". Fortunately, MOST of the folks here are kind and helpful. I'm one who wanted to learn and improve.
 
For those who wish to learn and improve, EVERY resource is available here, professional editors, published authors, experts in every form of writing, you name it, you will be able to find it here, AND you will be able to interact. These are priceless assets unavailable anywhere else with the accessibility you'll find here. Editing services alone cost a fortune. Folks do it for free here.
 
Such is the site in general. Of course, there are details and improvements in the day to day that can be made. 
 
The way we treat each other here, in some cases, is abominable. There ARE people who get together behind the scenes and plot against members they are envious of. Rumors and lies are spread. People are undermined. This DOES go on. People are attacked in reviews and in replies to reviews. It's the norm that these attacks are conveniently ignored by the membership as if they didn't read them. I don't fully understand this. I suppose every transgression can't be addressed or we'd be constantly at war with each other. On the other hand, I would never tolerate anyone bad mouthing a friend of mine, or even a stranger in correspondence to me. I'm surprised that anyone else would. I think the site is soft when it comes to bullying and unkind remarks having NOTHING to do with writing. Indeed, there are reviews that fall short of the guidelines set forth by the site that shouldn't be allowed to stand.
 
I'd like to see a stricter adherence to reviewing standards here. We've put up with substandard grab-the -cash-and-run reviewing for far too long. It's an embarrassment to the site, a deterrent to new members and a strong incentive for established members to become frustrated and leave.
 
"Yeah, well the rankings are fixed, man. They're just based on quantity. You can just write a bunch of crap and get to the top. The best writers live in a cave somewhere in Tibet and only write when the Cubs win the World Series." (American Baseball)
 
Here's the truth. Quantity is a factor, sure. However, quantity will NOT get you past the top writers on this site, trust me. In 2014 I was the number 2 author and novelist here. YES, quantity was indeed my ticket to the top. It was quantity to the tune of half a million words. I had to post two fifteen hundred posts a day for a year to garner my little trophies. Hell yes, I EARNED them. The point being, my avalanche of five-star posts weren't enough to knock off the steady stream of exceptional SIX STAR posts of the far superior writers I was chasing.
 
The rankings are great. They get people writing. I, for one, need structure and discipline to keep me on track, and the ratings "game" is just the thing. OF COURSE, there are wonderful writers who aren't highly ranked. Many folks don't have the time or inclination to post every day. NO ONE thinks ONLY the best writers are the ones highly ranked. NO ONE THINKS THAT. Why is it brought up as an issue? You tell me. On the other hand. Your damned right, some of the best writers here ARE ALSO highly ranked. Yep, exceptional, AND prolific. Deal with it.

Just to add ... in all my years here, I've NEVER once heard a top ranked writer make mention of their ranking in any way other than to discount it in humility. See? They don't seem to think it's a big deal. They just love to write. I used to make fun of it and it was a running joke that I was ranked ahead of the very people who were TEACHING ME how to write. 
 
There are many theories and suggestions we have discussed and proposed over the years. Invariably, they are more complex than what we already have in place. I'm not opposed to improving the game, but I don't have anything to offer.
 
I will offer this, however. There is a preponderance of poets here reflected in the rankings. It is known to be a far more monumental task to receive a poetry trophy than author or novel and certainly script. The time has come to award the top TEN poets with trophies. The membership has expanded for years now. It's time.
 
Awards in general could use an update. I'm pleased the site has chosen to offer the first, second and third place awards as an option in contests. It gives recognition to some excellent work that wasn't recognized before. The winner-take-all option is still there for the brave.

I also like the "honorable mentions" in the site contests. Again, recognition in a prestigious contest. It's been broached that we be able to see ALL the entrants in site contests like we do prompts, and member created contests. I repeat that here, understanding it's no doubt a logistical nightmare for the site ... a wish list item, then.
 
I feel I speak for many when I say the POM, SOM and BOM (poem, story and book of the month) competitions should be given greater prominence. Number one is the issue regarding ties. It appears ties are decided by the administrator. Nothing causes more ill will than to tie for one of those honors only to lose based on an arbitrary choice. The membership has VOTED. OUR choice should stand, even a tie. Also, it is a great honor to be voted second or third in one of these contests. They should certainly be awarded a ribbon and recognized. These are far more prestigious placements than a funny animal contest. Most of us are delighted to simply be nominated, let alone receive enough peer support for a placement.
 
For new members, newbies as we like to call them, I suggest a thirty-day breaking-in period to learn reviewing. A newbie can't be expected to hit the ground running with the stars and methods used here for reviewing. My first review was for Brooke Baldwin, arguably one of the finest poets every to grace our site. I gave her a gushing, praise-filled, four-star review. Hey, her pome were gud! How embarrassed was I? Fortunately, she was as gracious as she was talented. I would have DEARLY loved a month to settle in and learn the ropes BEFORE I met Brooke on those terms. I'd recommend only five-star reviews for the first month. Maybe two-weeks is enough. We can discuss.
 
I don't want to over load this with suggestions. One I can offer is this: Let's all leave each other alone. You don't have to like everyone here. Who cares? You don't have to enjoy everything written here. Why review something you don't care for? Why make it a point to attack someone's point of view because you don't agree? That is not a reviewer's job. That is NOT reviewing. Are you here to write or you here to promote your agenda? Anyone is welcome to not like me. So, what? Pass me by. Is there some reason you feel it necessary to discuss it with other members? Why do that to anyone? In general, if it isn't about writing, leave other members alone. It DESTROYS the site. It drives people away. Enough said.
 
I highly recommend this place. It's a dream for a writer who wants to grow and learn. It's a great place to store and organize your writing. It's even a great place to hang out and meet your own kind. Yes, there are some vicious people here who go behind people's backs to undermine them. Talent ALWAYS brings out envy and jealousy. Envy is to be found wherever you go. I can only suggest you try to ignore it and consider the pathetic source from whence it came. THEN consider the overwhelming majority of wonderful people here who will support you one hundred percent.
 
I'm told I'm too wordy. I'm working on it.
 

Chapter 7
Robyn's Quiz Number 5

By michaelcahill

 

.) When playing board games or poker will you cheat to win?
No, not outright card up my sleeve cheating. However, there is a great deal of deception and psychological aspects to poker that give advantages to certain people. So, I may have an advantage over some players. If I know that and engage them anyway, am I cheating them? Perhaps. :))
 
2.) What's your favorite writing quote?
"Life is like Russian Roulette, each breath an empty chamber but the last".
 
3.) Have you ever milked a cow? When? Where?
I was in a blackout and the courts said NOPE.
 
4.) Who's your favorite Superhero? And why?
Green Lantern has always been number one with me. Love the idea of focusing his will through a universal power source and that there is a corp throughout the universe. Also a cool oath that another member already quoted.
 
BUT, after seeing Wonder Woman ... she's my idol. "I will protect humanity ... forever". WOW! Maybe I'll become Green Lantern of Earth and, ya know, she'll go to the malt shop with me and ...
 
5.) Do you have any books published?
HAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!
 
6.) Have you ever done something unbelievable when no one was around to see? Brag on yourself now!
I floated naked on a raft over the center of the Mariana Trench and plumbed its depth.
 
7.) Tell us something about you we might be surprised to know?
My IQ actually exceeds my age.
 
8.) Would any of your friends call you a 'gossip'?
If you could call them "friends". Message me and I'll tell you the REAL story!
 
9.) Name your favorite movie(s) and why --
The Incredible Journey (the original)-- Chicks dig a dude that can cry like a little girl.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence-- I felt it was about artists. The robots struck as being like us, not fitting in but having so much to offer with sincerity.
Silence of the Lambs, Citizen Kane, Phantom of the Opera, there's just too many ...
 
10.) Name your favourite books and why--
Bambi-- beautifully written. Though tragic, it is still imparted with perfect honesty that children could relate to and understand.
The Prince of Tides-- Just love it.
Again, too many to mention. Just thought I'd add a bonus question. :))
  
This is fun. Are we allowed to have fun?

 

Chapter 8
Van Brocklin Back to Pass ...

By michaelcahill

In the midst of great news, I received bad news. I imagine I've reached an age where pure good news is a rarity.
 
In another lifetime, I was married and had a family, in-laws, I loved a great deal. My ex-wife and I weren't the best match, but I was quite enamored of her family. That's no reflection on her, I'm a rather immature male, typical of my sub-species in many unfortunate ways. Not her fault. Opinions vary though, and some find me to be charming and quite a hoot.
 
In any case, I was an only child and married into this large family and just like that I was surrounded by brothers and sisters. Also, I had no father and my mother was mentally ill. So, I got a father in the deal and an awesome mother-in-law to boot.
 
All of that is a story or stories for another time. One of my brothers, John, got married. He was quite young, too young as far as most of the family were concerned. In any case, his wife was pregnant and I was Godfather to his baby, a beautiful girl named Ixchelle. Yes, what a gorgeous unusual name.
 
I took the title and responsibility seriously.
 
It wasn't long after that my marriage failed and I was divorced. Being as though it WAS my ex-wife's family, I saw no choice but to fade from view. Reluctantly, that is what I did.
 
I kept loosely in touch with a couple family members, but for the most part, I was no longer in the family and virtually disappeared. It seemed like the natural course of events under the circumstances. As far as me being Godfather, I assumed, it wouldn't be remembered or cared about.
 
Recently, I received a message on Facebook from my Goddaughter. She had been looking for me. It did matter to her. I was quite touched and if it mattered to her, it certainly mattered to me. That was the very good news. And it IS the very good news.
 
Sadly though, at the same time, I learned that my brother, John had passed away just a few months before. Memories flooded back as clear as if it were yesterday. They were all of a young boy grown into a young man and then a young father. He was only fifty-eight-years-old when he died, shockingly young.
 
I'm just getting to know my newly found Goddaughter and have stories of her father to relate to her from back in the day.
 
Now, I have these stories to mull over myself, in memoriam it turns out.
 
John was turning thirteen when I meet him, I being his sister's new husband. He was the oldest of the boys and the wildest I must say. I became a big brother to him as all his older siblings were girls and all were adults. I was pleased to be the older brother to John, his two brothers and little sister. Remember, I was an only child. This was new and most welcome to me .
 
John was determined. I'm sure some might call it headstrong, but I'm going with determined.
 
I recall the time I bought a Mercury Montero police car at an auction. It needed an engine rebuild and John talked me into it, assuring me we could rebuild it. I'm not easy to talk into anything ... ask around. Well, I bought the car, we got the manual, and "WE" ripped the engine and everything else out and somehow rebuilt it, and put it back together. To this day, the sound of that car turning over and us driving down the street is one of the greatest achievements in my life. That was John at his finest, vintage perfect John. I can still hear that engine roar.
 
Decades have passed since I last saw John, but there are a couple "John things" I still say or do. I still say, when a football player makes his opponent look especially bad, "he made him STINK!"-- a John phrase.
 
I still break into the old, old theme music for football highlights and announce plays from long gone football stars of yesteryear-- du do du do du du, du du du do du du It was below freezing at soldier's field, the Vikings on their own fifteen-yard line, Van Brocklin back to pass, he's going loooooonnnnnng, TOUCHDOWN Minnesota. We loved football back then. I often mimic John doing the highlights and no one has a clue where I got it from. My own little private joke between me and him.
 
See, people do live on as long as we remember them.

What I love, is when a friend mimics ME mimicking John doing the football highlights. THAT is spreading it out there.
 
I'll miss John even though I haven't seen him in all those years. It hurts knowing I'll never have the chance.

I do thank him though for guiding his beautiful daughter to her Godfather. No worries, Brother, I'll keep an eye on her. R.I.P.


 

Author Notes

That's three pictures of John and one of John and his two brothers, Robbie and Michael, along with their sister, Susie. Robbie, Susie and Michael are all grown up now of course ... I, on the other hand, am not. :)) And this is my lovely Goddaughter:

Chapter 9
I Don't Mean to Speak Ill of Da Dead

By michaelcahill

I'll get to Ray Manzarek and the horrible transgression he perpetrated on yours truly later. I guess the Doors did okay, but, if you've heard me play ...
 
I'm not responsible for the billions and billions of people competing with me for notoriety here on the old marble. It's hardly fair. Many of them are willing to go to extremes which I find beneath me. Well, I guess if my breasts were a bit poutier, I'd flaunt them more than I already do. I suppose, I'd accept my Gerber's gladly from a silver spoon, though the excuse is convenient.
 
I admit to being blessed with talent, more than most. Hell, I'm more talented than billions of folks, and luckier too. It sounds so good, doesn't it? Imagine the mountain top I could stand on overlooking those I dwarf in ability. But then, there are those other mountains, the ones with the millions and millions who dwarf me.
 
See, too many damn people to compete with. You have to be Streisand to be a singer, or Cher has to find you attractive. You have to be King to be an author, or at least have your finger on the exact mindless drivel the majority of the populace wishes to immerse their limited brain cells in. I have mad luck, yes. But not insane luck.
 
I've had some minor brushes with potential stardom. There was the time I jammed with Steppenwolf at Johnny Thompson's Guitars, back in the day. It occurred to me I could bump off their keyboard player ,and bank on their memory of our great jam session.

My thinking went-- they'd recall to themselves, "Hey, what are we gonna do now?"

"Well, what about that awesome, cool dude from Johnny Thompson's the other day?"

"Oh ... hells ya. He'll save the day. Our troubles are over. Mike was his name. Mike, the new keyboardist for Steppenwolf".

Get yer motor runnin' ... Well, I just wasn't a violent guy, so I let a sure thing pass by. It isn't all about fame after all.
 
Then there was the call from Geffen Records. My band and I had sent a tape to them, and we were awaiting their response.

To hear: "This is Geffen Records" on the other end of the phones was rather exciting to be honest.

Then came the rotten news. Damn Elton John had left his label and decided to sign with Geffen. He took the last spot Geffen had available for the year.

They told us we were going to be signed, but, "Hey, it's Elton John, you understand? But keep working on it. We think you have a great sound".

Yeah, right. I'll leave it to you to decide if he made the right choice or not. Elton John .... GEEZ!
 
Of course, I've had major brushes as well. Back in the day, the premier L.A. musicians hung out on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Clubs like the Whiskey a Go Go featured bands like the Doors in their infancy. You could see them up close and personal at that time. Some, like the Doors, went on the have huge careers, others faded into the background.

There was a pecking order, and we all knew each other well. I was a keyboardist and one of the best at the time. Well, as it turns out, the Doors' keyboardist took sick before a gig at the Whiskey, and I happened to be there. It was a certainty that after a couple sets with me, Ray Manzarek would be a distant memory to Jim and the guys.
 
As the lights dimmed and we prepared to take the small stage ... guess who the hell showed up? Yep, that no good rotten Ray Manzarek.

He comes trotting up saying, "I'm all better now".

No one even looked my way. He just brushed by me, and took MY place on stage. Just like that I was booted from the Doors, and my place in history was denied. I'd like to say I'm not bitter and holding a grudge against Ray, especially since he's long since passed away. But I want to be honest. Yeah, I can't bring myself to forgive him, and I cringe every time I hear his organ noodling away on one of their records.
 
You'll never know what might've been, or what height the Doors could've reached with me in the fold. Oh, well, I guess it's water under the bridge, and they'll have to live with whatever success they managed.
 
But, OH, what might've been ...
 
 
 

Chapter 10
When a Dollar Was Worth a Dollar

By michaelcahill

 

I miss the good old days. I loved being young and free. Life had no consequences, and things were of value.  A shiny nickel would get you a chocolate bar. Even a penny would get you a gum drop or a whistle to drive someone crazy with ... value.
 
I may have taken a while to come to a complete understanding of the value of a dollar, however. At five-years-old, a genuine silver dollar seemed like a great deal of money to me. It was certainly more spectacular in appearance than even an economically powerful quarter. I had some limited experience with the heady purchasing power of a quarter.
 
As I arrived at Fisher's Market at the corner of Curtis Avenue and Alhambra Road, memories of full bags of candy purchased with quarters filled my head. The silver dollar, given to me by drunken Uncle Earl, weighed heavily in my pocket, frequently brushed by with my hand to make sure it was secure. I learned later that "Uncle" was an honorary title bestowed upon Earl to give some dignity to his station in life as my grandmother's beau, or belly warmer, if you will. In any case, that is a story for another time, and a different audience.
 
I walked into the market and grabbed a shopping cart. I knew I couldn't possibly carry what a silver dollar could purchase in my small hands. The cart was a little taller than I, but I was athletic and determined, well able to navigate with little damage to property or fellow shopper.
 
I filled my cart up with candy, and figured I could add quite a few toys to the mix, as well. I pushed my cart up to the checkout counter and unloaded it onto the conveyor belt. Mrs. Falcon checked away, and I waited patiently.
 
Finally, she finished and looked around for the customer who had purchased all the goodies. After a few moments, she looked down and realized it was yours truly. I smiled and handed her the silver dollar.
 
I don't know how much the total was. I had filled the shopping cart up with most of the candy and toys the market had in stock.
 
It was then that I discovered that being darling was a tremendous asset in this dog eat dog world. It was a lesson learned and kept at the ready even to this day when very few remnants of my darlingness remain.
 

Chapter 11
The Fathering Feature

By michaelcahill

 
A car pulls up in front of a house in a lower-class neighborhood. The homes are poor with unkempt yards. Most dwellings are in obvious need of repair. A woman with a red wig and thick make up exits the car and rushes up to the porch and grabs a child from the front porch. He laughs and appears unconcerned as she rushes back to the car, enters with him in tow and the car speeds away.
 
Child
Where we goin'?
 
Red wigged woman
California.
 
Voice over
I was two. My mom was straight out of the nut house. That’s what it was called back then, the nut house or the loony bin. Honestly, I miss straight forward descriptive language like that even if it is a bit crass. Mentally challenged didn't describe my mom a bit. She wasn't challenged at all, she was down for the count, defeated, obliterated, nutty as a loon. I don't mean that in any kind of negative way either, merely a tell it like it is, this is the true picture, let's get to the point kind of way.
 
A man steps out of the shadows into the light.
 
Man on stage
You may as well see who's speaking.
 
The man is older, but difficult to say how old. He's over forty and his story puts him in his sixties, but he doesn't look or act the part.
 
Man on stage
In any case, mom was one piston short of a muscle car ... just trying out some new clichés, you can use that if you want. Mom, under the auspices of her mom, my grandma, had this notion that a young man, specifically yours truly, needed a father to successfully navigate puberty and steer on into manhood. It became a family quest to secure a father for me. I tried to tell them, I didn't need one, but they wouldn't listen. Their choices were not the best.
 
Grandma
A boy needs a father.
 
Mom
Yes, a boy needs a father. You're right about that. A boy needs a father. You can't have a boy without a father. I have to get him a father. I can't leave him without a father.
 
On stage a boy is in his room alone playing the guitar softly.
 
Voice over
I never met my real father, but I have a single memory of him. I'm using logic to determine that my memory is of him. I recall a Ferris Wheel with lights and a man I remember being enamored of at the time. It's just a flash of memory. I recall looking way up to him. I recall being a little in awe of the Ferris wheel. Everything else is a blur. It is a clear memory though. It turns out my father bought me a Ferris Wheel for my first Christmas. I would've been eleven months old. It's my earliest memory other than vaguely remembering my first steps which no one believes.
 
A baby stands at the feet of a man looking up at him. On a table is a Ferris Wheel with lights going in a circle. The baby's eyes go back and forth from the wheel to the man.
 
Cut to
A young boy puts his fork down refusing to eat what's on his plate.
 
Young boy
They're raw. I can't eat them.
 
Man
You'll eat them or they'll be hell to pay. Nuthin' wrong with them ... eat, boy.
 
The boy sits there unmoving. The man picks up a half-full bottle of milk and throws it at the boy. It misses and shatters against the wall. The boy doesn't flinch or move. The lady jumps from the table screaming.
 
Lady
You're going to kill him. You're trying to kill him.
 
She grabs the boys arm and pulls him out the back door.
 
Man
I wasn't going to hit him. Get back in here or there will be real trouble.
 
The lady knocks on a neighbor's door and she and the boy go inside. The boy is met by the little girl who lives there and she takes him to her room.
 
Little girl
It will be okay.
 
She gives him a kiss, hugs him and holds him in her arms. He says nothing and just stays in her arms.
 
Voice over
If only I could properly relay to you how significant that moment was in my life. I realize growing up as an infant and a toddler that my aunts who took care of me gave me plenty of love. Every picture from those days shows me in someone's arms. I was nurtured without question. Yes, it trumped all the abuse I would receive growing up during the rest of my childhood. The first two years, it turns out, were the most important. But this young girl and her gesture was the first and still the most powerful example of simple care I had ever received. I realize on an intellectual level that my mother had those feelings for me. Her mental illness precluded any proper expression though.
 
Sirens sound in the background. A man is heard swearing. A woman is heard screaming.
 
Little girl
Don't worry. The cops are taking care of it. You'll be okay.
 
She continues to hold him and he allows it.
 
Voice over
I knew all she said was true. Honestly, I had long ago lost any sense of fear. My mother was violent and volatile. I was immune and had no reaction to such things. Reaction only heightened situations. I knew that calm and passive was the answer to insanity. The truth is, I relished those moments in her arms. I knew they were rare. I even knew I may not ever experience their like again. I vowed to somehow pass that on to the best of my ability every chance I got. I knew I didn't have the special flair a woman has, but I also felt, the effort would make all the difference in how I valued myself.
 
Mom
This is Jack. He's your new father.
 
Jack
As long as you stay out of my way and keep your mouth shut, we'll get along fine.
 
Voice Over
I had no problem with that. I had no interest in him or desire to be in his presence or converse with him. I couldn't allow him to abuse my mother though, even though she was crazy and invited the worst behavior from most people. My size made me ineffective, but didn't prevent my interventions. Fortunately, the cops once again came to the rescue and father number three was hauled away.
 
Mom
This is Gerald. He's your new father.
 
Gerald
You're on your own kid. If I would have wanted brats, I would've had brats.
 
Voice Over
He didn't bother me and I didn't bother him. He didn't bother her either. At some point, he left. I didn't notice when and his absence didn't seem to bother her. I discovered upon her passing he remained married to her and thus my step-father to this day wherever he might be. He was the best father I ever had. Mom finally got it right.
 
In a dimly lit corner of the stage a man sits alone. His back is to the audience. His head is resting on his hand. A little girl walks out and puts her arm around him as the light dims to black.
 

Author Notes

I know I'm short changing the stage direction. LOL I'll add it later. :)) Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Today, let's focus on father's--there is a choice of ideas here: 1. Write as Father's Day story--true or fictional, could be a script. 2. Write a letter to your dad or to your children about being their dad. 3. Write about your father, a tribute, or if he wasn't a great father, it is okay to write about that to. 4. If you aren't a father and didn't know your father, write about the role you wish a dad had played in your life. If your are busy BBQ'ing, you have all week to write this~Debbie

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